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Abstract:

A planar galvanic cell arrangement for portable electronic device is
provided. In one embodiment, a galvanic cell arrangement may include a
flexible substrate including a surface area that forms a plane. The
galvanic cell arrangement also includes a plurality of galvanic cells
coupled with the flexible substrate within the surface area that forms
the plane, and electrically connected with one another in series, each of
the plurality of galvanic cells including a negative electrode and a
positive electrode. Furthermore, the galvanic cell arrangement includes a
first terminal coupled with the negative electrode at one end of the
series, and second terminal coupled with the positive electrode at an
opposite end of the series. The plurality of galvanic cells being
configured to provide electrical power to the portable electronic device
via the first and second terminal, based on the plurality of galvanic
cells being exposed to an aqueous electrolyte.

Claims:

1. A galvanic cell arrangement to provide electrical power to a portable
electronic device, the galvanic cell arrangement comprising: a flexible
substrate including a surface area that forms a plane; a plurality of
galvanic cells coupled with the flexible substrate within the surface
area that forms the plane, and electrically connected with one another in
series, each of the plurality of galvanic cells including a negative
electrode and a positive electrode; and a first terminal coupled with the
negative electrode at one end of the series, and second terminal coupled
with the positive electrode at an opposite end of the series, the
plurality of galvanic cells being configured to provide electrical power
to the portable electronic device via the first terminal and the second
terminal, based on the plurality of galvanic cells being exposed to an
aqueous electrolyte.

2. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, wherein the negative
electrode of each of the plurality of galvanic cells includes a zinc
anode and the positive electrode of each of the plurality of galvanic
cells includes a copper cathode.

3. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
galvanic cells include a number of galvanic cells that depends on a
voltage requirement of the portable electronic device, and cell potential
of each galvanic cell of the plurality of galvanic cells to be exposed to
the aqueous electrolyte.

4. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, further comprising: a cell
isolator positioned to surround, at least partially, each of the
plurality of galvanic cells so as to electrically isolate the plurality
of galvanic cells from one another.

5. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 4, wherein the cell isolator
includes, at least one cell overlay element positioned adjacent to each
of the plurality of galvanic cells and configured to electrically isolate
the plurality of galvanic cells from one another, wherein the at least
one cell overlay element includes an electrolyte facing portion
configured to absorb the aqueous electrolyte, and a cell facing portion
configured to expose the aqueous electrolyte to the plurality of galvanic
cells, and at least one cell separator element positioned adjacent to
each of the plurality of galvanic cells, and configured to electrically
isolate the plurality of galvanic cells from one another, wherein the at
least one cell separator element is less absorptive than the at least one
cell overlay element.

6. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 5, wherein the at least one
cell overlay element is characterized by a porosity that permits the cell
facing portion to expose the plurality of galvanic cells to the aqueous
electrolyte at a specific exposure rate that relates to an acidity level
of the aqueous electrolyte.

7. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, wherein a portion of the
flexible substrate is configured to couple with the portable electronic
device, the portable electronic device is configured to operate under
water, and the aqueous electrolyte includes a solution of sodium and
water.

8. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, wherein a portion of the
flexible substrate is configured to couple with the portable electronic
device, the portable electronic device includes a portable audio player,
and the aqueous electrolyte includes human perspiration.

9. The galvanic cell arrangement of claim 1, wherein the portable
electronic device includes a probe that is ingestible by an animal and
the aqueous electrolyte includes a gastric acid solution.

10. An electrochemical cell arrangement, comprising: a base member
including a planar surface area; and at least one pair of electrodes
coupled with the planar surface area of the base member, and including a
negative electrode and a positive electrode, the at least one pair of
electrodes being configured to operate as a voltage source responsive to
the at least one pair of electrodes being exposed to an aqueous
electrolyte.

11. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 10, wherein the
negative electrode includes a metallic anode and the positive electrode
includes a metallic cathode.

12. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 10, wherein the at
least one pair of electrodes includes a plural number of pairs of
electrodes that depends on a voltage requirement, a cell potential of
each pair of electrodes of the plural number of pairs of electrodes, and
a constitution of the aqueous electrolyte.

13. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 12, wherein the plural
number of pairs of electrodes are electrically connected in series, and
wherein the plural number of pairs of electrodes operating as the voltage
source are configured to provide a voltage that is based on a summation
of the cell potential of each pair of electrodes of the plural number of
pairs of electrodes.

14. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 12, further comprising:
one or more cell separation elements positioned adjacent to, at least
partially, each of the plural number of pairs of electrodes so as to
electrically isolate, from one another, each of the plural number of
pairs of electrodes.

15. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 12, further comprising:
a cell overlay element positioned adjacent to the plural number of pairs
of electrodes and including an electrolyte facing portion configured to
absorb the aqueous electrolyte, and an electrode facing portion
configured to expose the plural number of pairs of electrodes to the
aqueous electrolyte at a rate of exposure.

16. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 15, wherein the cell
overlay element is characterized by a porosity that allows the electrode
facing portion to expose a particular aqueous electrolyte to the plural
number of pairs of electrodes at a specific rate of exposure.

17. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 10, wherein the at
least one pair of electrodes is configured to power a portable electronic
device when the at least one pair of electrodes is exposed to the aqueous
electrolyte.

18. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 17, further comprising:
a securing mechanism configured to be coupled with the portable
electronic device and to retain the at least one pair of electrodes; and
a releasing mechanism arranged with the securing mechanism and configured
to release the retained at least one pair of electrodes from the securing
mechanism, the securing mechanism and the releasing mechanism thereby
permitting the at least one pair of electrodes to be field replaceable by
a user.

19. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 17, wherein the base
member is configured to couple with the portable electronic device, the
portable electronic device is configured to operate under water, and the
aqueous electrolyte includes saline water.

20. The electrochemical cell arrangement of claim 17, wherein the base
member is configured to attach with an animal and the aqueous electrolyte
includes a bodily fluid of the animal.

21. A portable electronic system, comprising: a housing including a flat
external surface; an electronic circuit positioned within the housing and
configured to perform a function of the portable electronic system; a
plurality of galvanic cells coupled with the flat external surface of the
housing, and electrically connected to one another in series, each of the
plurality of galvanic cells including a negative electrode and a positive
electrode; a first terminal coupled to the negative electrode at one end
of the series, and a second terminal coupled with the positive electrode
at an opposite end of the series; and a cell isolator positioned to
surround, at least partially, each of the plurality of galvanic cells so
as to electrically isolate the plurality of galvanic cells from one
another, the plurality of galvanic cells being configured to deliver
electrical power to the electronic circuit via the first terminal and the
second terminal when an aqueous electrolyte is transferred to the
plurality of galvanic cells.

Description:

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] This disclosure relates generally to a technical field of
electrical energy and, in one example embodiment, to an electrochemical
cell system and apparatus to provide energy to a portable electronic
device.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A common power supply is an electrical battery (referred to
hereinafter as "battery") A battery may include multiple electrochemical
cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. The
battery may then use the electrical energy produced by the multiple cells
to power and electrically powered object such as a mobile phone, power
tool, and the like.

In an electrochemical cell, the conversion of chemical energy to
electrical energy may involve exposure of electrodes within the
electrochemical cell to an electrolyte or each to different electrolyte.
Some batteries may use an "aqueous" electrolyte that is in a
substantially liquid state. A battery may alternatively or additionally
use a "dry" electrolyte that is relatively more solid than the aqueous
solution."

SUMMARY

[0003] In one aspect, a galvanic cell arrangement to provide electrical
power to a portable electronic device is described. The galvanic cell
arrangement includes a flexible substrate including a surface area that
forms a plane. The galvanic cell arrangement also includes a plurality of
galvanic cells coupled with the flexible substrate within the surface
area that forms the plane, and electrically connected with one another in
series, each of the plurality of galvanic cells including a negative
electrode and a positive electrode.

[0004] In addition, the galvanic cell arrangement includes a first
terminal coupled with the negative electrode at one end of the series,
and second terminal coupled with the positive electrode at an opposite
end of the series. The galvanic cell arrangement also includes the
plurality of galvanic cells being configured to provide electrical power
to the portable electronic device via the first and second terminal,
based on the plurality of galvanic cells being exposed to an aqueous
electrolyte. The negative electrode of each of the plurality of galvanic
cells may include a zinc anode and the positive electrode of each of the
plurality of galvanic cells may include a copper cathode. The plurality
of galvanic cells may include a number of galvanic cells that may depend
on a voltage requirement of the portable electronic device, and cell
potential of each galvanic cell of the plurality of galvanic cells may be
exposed to the aqueous electrolyte.

[0005] The galvanic cell arrangement may also include a cell isolator
positioned to surround, may be partially. Each of the plurality of
galvanic cells may electrically isolate the plurality of galvanic cells
from one another. The cell isolator may include cell overlay element
positioned may be adjacent to each of the plurality of galvanic cells and
may be configured to electrically isolate the plurality of galvanic cells
from one another. The overlay element may include an electrolyte facing
portion configured to absorb the aqueous electrolyte, and a cell facing
portion configured to expose the aqueous electrolyte to the plurality of
galvanic cells, and may be one cell separator element positioned may be
adjacent to each of the plurality of galvanic cells, and configured to
electrically isolate the plurality of galvanic cells from one another.
The separator may be less absorptive than the overlay element.

[0006] The cell overlay element may be characterized by a porosity that
may permit the cell facing portion to expose the plurality of galvanic
cells to the aqueous electrolyte at a specific exposure rate that relate
to an acidity level of the aqueous electrolyte. A portion of the flexible
substrate may be configured to couple with the portable electronic
device. The portable electronic device may be configured to operate under
water, and the aqueous electrolyte may include a solution of sodium and
water. A portion of the flexible substrate may be configured to couple
with the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device may
include a portable audio player, and the aqueous electrolyte may include
human perspiration. The portable electronic device may include a probe
that may be ingestible by an animal and the aqueous electrolyte may
include a gastric acid solution.

[0007] In another aspect, an electrochemical cell arrangement includes a
base member including a planar surface area. The electrochemical cell
arrangement also includes one pair of electrodes coupled with the planar
surface area of the base member, and including a negative electrode and a
positive electrode. The electrochemical cell arrangement further includes
one pair of electrodes being configured to operate as a voltage source
responsive to one pair of electrodes being exposed to an aqueous
electrolyte. The negative electrode may include a metallic anode and the
positive electrode may include a metallic cathode. One or more pair of
electrodes may include a plural number of pairs of electrodes that depend
on a voltage requirement, a cell potential of each pair of electrodes of
the plural number of pairs of electrodes, and a constitution of the
aqueous electrolyte. The plural number of pairs of electrodes may be
electrically connected in series. The plural number of pairs of
electrodes operating as the voltage source may be configured to provide a
voltage based on a summation of the cell potential of each pair of
electrodes of the plural number of pairs of electrodes.

[0008] The electrochemical cell arrangement may also include one or more
cell separation elements positioned may be adjacent to, may be partially,
each of the plural number of pairs of electrodes to electrically isolate,
from one another, each of the plural number of pairs of electrodes. In
addition, the electrochemical cell arrangement may also include a cell
overlay element positioned adjacent to the plural number of electrodes
and may include an electrolyte facing portion which may be configured to
absorb the aqueous electrolyte, and an electrode facing portion
configured to expose the plural number of pairs of electrodes to the
aqueous electrolyte at a rate of exposure. The cell overlay element may
be characterized by a porosity that allow the electrode facing portion to
expose a particular aqueous electrolyte to the plural number of pairs of
electrodes at a specific rate of exposure. One or more pair of electrodes
may be configured to power a portable electronic device when one or more
pair of electrodes may be exposed to the aqueous electrolyte.

[0009] The electrochemical cell arrangement may also include a securing
mechanism that may be configured to be coupled with the portable
electronic device and to retain one or more pair of electrodes.
Furthermore, the electrochemical cell arrangement may also include a
releasing mechanism arranged with the securing mechanism and may be
configured to release the retained one or more pair of electrodes from
the securing mechanism. The securing mechanism and the releasing
mechanism may permit one or more pair of electrodes to be field
replaceable by a user. The base member may be configured to couple with
the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device may be
configured to operate under water, and the aqueous electrolyte may
include saline water. The base member may be configured to attach with an
animal and the aqueous electrolyte may include a bodily fluid of the
animal.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a portable electronic system includes a
housing including a flat external surface. The portable electronic system
also includes an electronic circuit positioned within the housing and
configured to perform a function of the portable electronic system. In
addition, the portable electronic system includes a plurality of galvanic
cells coupled with the flat external surface of the housing, and
electrically connected to one another in series, each of the plurality of
galvanic cells including a negative electrode and a positive electrode.
The portable electronic system also includes a first terminal coupled to
the negative electrode at one end of the series, and second terminal
coupled with the positive electrode at an opposite end of the series. The
portable electronic system further includes a cell isolator positioned to
surround, partially, each of the plurality of galvanic cells so as to
electrically isolate the plurality of galvanic cells from one another,
the plurality of galvanic cells being configured to deliver electrical
power to the electronic circuit via the first and second terminals when
an aqueous electrolyte is transferred to the plurality of galvanic cells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the figures of accompanying drawings, in which like
references indicate similar elements and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an electrochemical cell
arrangement, according to one or more embodiments.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates front view of the electrochemical cell
arrangement of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments.

[0014]FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a galvanic cell arrangement,
according to one or more embodiments.

[0015]FIG. 3B is a table showing example voltages obtained using
different number of galvanic cells in the galvanic cell arrangement,
according to one or more embodiments.

[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a further example of galvanic cell arrangement,
according to one or more embodiments.

[0017]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a portable music player powered by
a planar galvanic cell arrangement, according to one or more embodiments.

[0018]FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a portable media device (e.g.
portable music player powered using a galvanic cell arrangement,
according to one or more embodiments.

[0019]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a detachable battery configuration
powered using a galvanic cell arrangement, according to one embodiments.

[0020]FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a clock powered using a galvanic
cell arrangement, according to one or more embodiments.

[0021]FIG. 9 illustrates an example a side view of a clock powered using
an example galvanic cell arrangement, according to one or more
embodiments.

[0022]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an ingestible probe powered with
a conforming galvanic cell arrangement, according to one or more
embodiments.

[0023] Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from
accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Disclosed are a methods, systems and an apparatus to provide.
Although the present embodiments will be described below with reference
to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various
modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

[0025] The detailed description discloses various example embodiments of
an electrochemical cell that includes a pair of electrodes positioned on
a planar or flat surface area and that operates as a voltage source as a
result of the pair of electrodes being exposed to an aqueous electrolyte.

[0026] In various example embodiments, multiple electrochemical cells may
be electrically connected to one another so as to form a battery that
provides energy through its terminals. Variations of such a battery may
be designed with a number and type of electromechanical cells that is
appropriate to meet design constraints related to a particular
applications of the battery.

[0027] In example embodiments, cell separation material may be positioned
on and/or around each of the multiple electromechanical cells of the
battery, having an effect of electrically isolating the multiple
electromechanical cells from one another. The battery including the
electrical isolation referred to above may provide more energy through
its terminal than the battery without the electrical isolation.

[0028] For some example embodiments, an example battery may be used to
power a portable electronic device such as a multimedia player or any
other appropriate portable electronic device. The portable electronic
device may operate in an environment in which the example battery is
exposed to the aqueous electrolyte.

[0029] For example, the battery could be positioned with a portable music
player such that the battery will contact sweat, an example aqueous
electrolyte, when the portable music player is clipped to a sweaty shirt
of a runner. In another example, the battery may be fixed to a diver's
watch, and may power the diver's watch when the battery is submersed in
sea water, another example aqueous electrolyte.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an electrochemical cell
arrangement 100, according to one or more embodiments. In one or more
embodiments, the electrochemical cell arrangement 100 may include a base
member 102 including a planar surface area 104. In one or more
embodiments, a pair of electrodes 106 may be coupled with the planar
surface area 104 of the base member 102 and including a negative
electrode (e.g., anode 108) and a positive electrode (e.g., cathode 110).
The pair of electrodes 106 may be configured to operate as a voltage
source responsive to a pair of electrodes 106 being exposed to an aqueous
electrolyte 116.

[0031] In one or more embodiments, the negative electrode may include a
metallic anode 108 and the positive electrode includes a metallic cathode
110. In one or more embodiments, the electrodes 106 may include a
multiple pairs of electrodes depending on a voltage requirement, a cell
potential of each pair of electrodes 106 of the multiple pairs of
electrodes, and a constitution of the aqueous electrolyte 116. The
multiple pairs of electrodes 106 may be electrically connected in series.
The multiple pairs of electrodes 106 operating as the voltage source may
be configured to provide a voltage that may be based on a summation of
the cell potential of each pair of electrodes 106 of the multiple pairs
of electrodes.

[0032] A set of electrodes, anode 108 and cathode 110 may be placed in an
aqueous electrolyte 116. The aqueous electrolyte 116 may be held on the
base member 102. The base member may be made of a material configured to
be less conductive, including but not limited to, a Kapton® tape. This
may also be flexible and conformable to different surfaces. The base
member 102 may also form a planar/flat surface. In one or more
embodiments, the electrochemical cell arrangement 100 may be constructed
on the planar surface area 104. A negative terminal 112 from the anode
108 and a positive terminal 114 from the cathode may be used as lead
connections for providing electric charge for functioning of various
devices. The cell potential expression 118 for the electrochemical cell
arrangement 100 may be expressed as Ecell=E.sub.cathode-Eanode.

[0033]FIG. 2 illustrates front view of the electrochemical cell
arrangement 100 of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments. The FIG.
2 illustrates the arrangement of the pair of electrodes 106 on the planar
surface area 104 of the base member 102. In one or more embodiments, the
electrochemical cell arrangement 100 may include one or more cell
separation elements positioned partially adjacent to, each of the
multiple pairs of electrodes so as to electrically isolate from one
another, each of the multiple pairs of electrodes. The electrochemical
cell arrangement 100 may also include a cell overlay element positioned
adjacent to the multiple electrodes and including an electrolyte facing
portion configured to absorb the aqueous electrolyte, and an electrode
facing portion configured to expose the multiple pairs of electrodes to
the aqueous electrolyte at a rate of exposure.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the cell overlay element may be
characterized by a porosity that may allow the electrode facing portion
to expose a particular aqueous electrolyte to the multiple pairs of
electrodes at a specific rate of exposure. One or more pair of electrodes
106 may be configured to power a portable electronic device when one or
more pair of electrodes may be exposed to the aqueous electrolyte. The
electrochemical cell arrangement 100 may include a securing mechanism
configured to be coupled with a portable electronic device and to retain
one or more pair of electrodes. In one or more embodiments, the
electrochemical cell arrangement 100 may include a releasing mechanism
arranged with the securing mechanism and may be configured to release the
retained one or more pair of electrodes 106 from the securing mechanism,
the securing mechanism and the releasing mechanism thereby permitting one
or more pair of electrodes 106 to be field replaceable by a user. In one
or more embodiments, the base member 102 may be configured to couple with
the portable electronic device, the portable electronic device may be
configured to operate under water, and the aqueous electrolyte may
include saline water. In one or more embodiments, the base member 102 may
be configured to attach with an animal and the aqueous electrolyte may
include a bodily fluid of the animal.

[0035]FIG. 3A illustrates a top view of a galvanic cell arrangement 300,
according to one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the
galvanic cell arrangement 300 may be used to provide electrical power to
a portable electronic device 316. Examples of the portable electronic
device 316, may include, but is not limited to a mobile phone, a personal
digital assistant, a digital watch, a multimedia player, a laptop, and
the like. In one or more embodiments, the galvanic cell arrangement 300
may include a flexible substrate 302 including a surface area 304 that
forms a plane. In one or more embodiments, the galvanic cell arrangement
300 may also include multiple galvanic cells (e.g., galvanic cell A 308,
galvanic cell B 309, and galvanic cell C 310) coupled with the flexible
substrate 302 within the surface area 304 that forms the plane, and may
be electrically connected with one another in series, each of the
multiple of galvanic cells including a negative electrode and a positive
electrode. In one or more embodiments, two or more consecutive galvanic
cells may be electrically connected through a conductive wire 311.

[0036] In one or more embodiments, the galvanic cell arrangement 300 may
include a first terminal (e.g., a negative terminal 312) coupled with the
negative electrode at one end of the series, and second terminal (e.g., a
positive terminal 314) coupled with the positive electrode at an opposite
end of the series. The multiple galvanic cells may be configured to
provide electrical power to the portable electronic device 316 via the
first terminal and second terminal, based on the multiple galvanic cells
being exposed to an aqueous electrolyte. In one or more embodiments, the
negative electrode of each of the galvanic cells may include a zinc anode
and the positive electrode of each of the galvanic cells may include a
copper cathode. For the purpose of illustration the detailed description
refers to zinc anode and copper cathode; however the scope of the
invention is not limited to zinc anode and copper cathode, but may be
extended to include any known cathode and anode materials. In one or more
embodiments, the number of galvanic cells in the galvanic cell
arrangement 300 may depend on a voltage requirement of the portable
electronic device 316 and a cell potential of each of the galvanic cells
that may be exposed to the aqueous electrolyte. A cell potential
expression 318 may be given by Ebattery=E.sub.(CELL A, CELL B, CELL
C).

[0037]FIG. 3B is a table showing example voltages 320 obtained using
different number of galvanic cells in the galvanic cell arrangement 300,
according to one or more embodiments. A galvanic cell configuration
column 322 may indicate number of galvanic cells used to obtain a
particular voltage. The voltage 324 column may indicate the measured
voltages corresponding to various number of galvanic cells used. With one
galvanic cell 326, a measured voltage 328 may be approximately 0.33 V.
When two galvanic cells connected in series 330, the measured voltage 332
may be approximately 0.584 V. When two galvanic cells connected in series
with a cell overlay and a cell separator material surrounding galvanic
cells connected in series the expected voltage 336 V may be approximately
in the range of 0.584 V to 0.66V. In one or more embodiments, a multiple
of galvanic cells may be coupled with a flat external surface of housing,
and electrically connected to one another in series. Each of the galvanic
cells may include a negative electrode and a positive electrode.

[0038] A first terminal may be coupled to the negative electrode at one
end of the series, and a second terminal may be coupled with the positive
electrode at an opposite end of the series. In one or more embodiments,
the electrode couples (anode and cathode) may be placed consecutively on
one plane to form a planar arrangement. The number of electrode couples
placed consecutively may depend on one or more of the required voltage
drop (power), the work function of the electrodes used and the electric
potential produced by one electrode couple. The planar arrangement of the
galvanic cells may be used to self power the portable electronic device
316 when the galvanic cells come in contact with an electrolyte
solution/an aqueous electrolyte.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates a further example of galvanic cell arrangement
400, according to one or more embodiments. Particularly, FIG. 4
illustrates an aqueous electrolyte 316, cell overlay 420, an electrolyte
facing 421, a cell separator 423, a flexible substrate 302, a galvanic
cell A 308, an electrode facing 422, a galvanic cell B 309, and a
galvanic cell C 310. In one or more embodiments, the galvanic cell
arrangement may include a cell isolator positioned to surround each of
the galvanic cells partially to electrically isolate the galvanic cells
from one another. The cell isolator may include one or more cell overlay
elements 420 positioned adjacent to each of the multiple galvanic cells
and may be configured to electrically isolate the galvanic cells from one
another. The cell overlay element 420 may include an electrolyte facing
421 portion and a cell facing (or electrode facing 422) portion. The
electrolyte facing portion 421 may be configured to absorb the aqueous
electrolyte 316, and the cell facing (or electrode facing 422) portion
may be configured to expose the aqueous electrolyte 316 to the galvanic
cells, and one or more cell separators (e.g., cell separator 423) may be
positioned adjacent to each of the galvanic cells, and may be configured
to electrically isolate the galvanic cells from one another. The cell
separator 423 may be less absorptive than the cell overlay element 420.

[0040] In one or more embodiments, the cell overlay element 420 may be
characterized by a porosity that may permit the cell facing portion 422
to expose the galvanic cells to the aqueous electrolyte 316 at a specific
exposure rate that may relate to an acidity level of the aqueous
electrolyte 316. The galvanic cell arrangement 400 may include a portion
of the flexible substrate 302 configured to couple with the portable
electronic device 316. In one or more embodiments, the portable
electronic device 316 powered by the galvanic cell arrangement 400 may be
configured to operate under water. The aqueous electrolyte 316 may
include a solution of sodium and water. In one or more embodiments, a
portion of the flexible substrate 302 may be configured to couple with
the portable electronic device 316. The portable electronic device 316
may include a portable audio player, and the aqueous electrolyte 316 may
include human perspiration. The portable electronic device 316 may
include a probe that may be ingestible by an animal and the aqueous
electrolyte 316 may include a gastric acid solution.

[0041]FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a portable music player 500
powered by a planar galvanic cell arrangement 300, according to one or
more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, a base surface 612 of the
portable music player 500 may be attached to a body surface of a user.
Further, the planar galvanic cell arrangement 300 may be coupled to the
portable music player 500 (e.g., an Mp3 player, i-pod, etc). The portable
music player 500 may include a display screen 506 as illustrated in FIG.
5. The planar galvanic cell arrangement 300 may be attached to the
surface of the portable music player 500 and may be clipped to a sweaty
undergarment of a user of the portable music player 500. The sweat may
act as the electrolyte for the planar galvanic cell arrangement 300.
Further, the planar galvanic cell arrangement 300 may be coupled to the
portable music player 500 through leads of an internal power connection
516 of an internal circuitry 514 of the portable music player 500 to
supply power for operating the portable music player 500. In one or more
embodiments, the leads of the internal power connection 516 of the
portable music player may be provided on a front face 504 of the portable
music player 500.

[0042]FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a portable media device 600 (e.g.
portable music player 500) powered using a galvanic cell arrangement 300,
according to one or more embodiments. Particularly, FIG. 6 illustrates a
housing 502, a base face 508, galvanic cell A 614 and a galvanic cell B
616. In one or more embodiments, the housing 502 may include a flat
external surface. An electronic circuit may be positioned within the
housing and may be configured to perform a function of the portable
electronic system (e.g., portable music player 500, portable media device
600, and clock 800 of FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 8 respectively). The base
surface 512 of the base face 508 of the portable media device 600 may
include the galvanic cell A 614 and the galvanic cell B 616 placed
adjacent to each other. The base face 508 of the portable media device
600 may be attached to a medium (e.g., a human body, sweaty apparels,
etc) where the galvanic cell A 614 and the galvanic cell B 616 may use
the sweat as the electrolyte to power the portable media device 600.

[0043]FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a detachable battery configuration
700 powered using a galvanic cell arrangement, according to one
embodiments. The galvanic cell arrangement may be detachably attached to
a securing mechanism 702. The galvanic cell arrangement of FIG. 7
includes a galvanic cell A 707 and a galvanic cell B 708. The galvanic
cell A 707 may include a zinc anode 710 and a copper cathode 712. The
galvanic cell B 708 may include a zinc anode 714 and a copper cathode
716. In one or more embodiments, the securing mechanism 702 may be used
to attach the galvanic cells (e.g., the galvanic cell A 707 and the
galvanic cell B 708) to the surface of an electronic device (e.g.,
portable music player 500, portable media device 800, clock 800, etc) by
inserting a base 704 housing the galvanic cell A 707 and the galvanic
cell B 708, into the securing mechanism 702 as indicated by the direction
arrows 718. The releasing mechanism 703 may be used to release the
galvanic cell arrangement from the securing mechanism to detach the
galvanic cell arrangement from the surface of the electronic device
(e.g., portable music player 500, portable media device 800, clock 800,
etc) once the electronic device is charged. Zinc and copper electrodes
may be used because zinc and copper are easily available and more
economical in terms of cost. The electrodes may be changed based on the
electrical potential required and the size of the planar galvanic cell
required

[0044]FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a clock powered using a galvanic
cell arrangement 800, according to one or more embodiments. In an
embodiment, the planar galvanic cell arrangement may be coupled to the
clock by attaching the galvanic cell arrangement to a clock surface 802.
The clock may be for example a watch of a diver. In this embodiment, when
the diver couples the galvanic cell arrangement 800 to the watch and
dives into a sea, the sea water may act as the electrolyte. When one or
more galvanic cells in the galvanic cell arrangement 800 come in contact
with the electrolyte, the galvanic cells may generate power to operate
the clock/watch of the diver.

[0045]FIG. 9 illustrates an example a side view of a clock powered using
an example galvanic cell arrangement, according to one or more
embodiments. Further, FIG. 9 also illustrates the arrangement of a
galvanic cell A 904 and a galvanic cell B 906 on the clock surface 802
using a flexible substrate 903. In one or more embodiments, the flexible
substrate 903 used may include, but is not limited to a Kapton® tape.
The Kapton® tape may provide flexibility to attach the galvanic cell
arrangement on the surfaces of the portable electronic devices of any
given shape. A cell overlay element 908 and the cell separator element
910 of the galvanic cell arrangement may be positioned adjacent to the
galvanic cells and may be configured to electrically isolate the multiple
galvanic cells from one another in the galvanic cell arrangement.
Furthermore, the cell overlay element 908 may have some porosity which
allows the electrolytic solution to pass through it and contact the
electrode with the cell separator 910 being impermeable to provide the
isolation, according to one embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 10 illustrates an example of an ingestible probe powered with
a conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000, according to one or more
embodiments. The conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000 may include a
galvanic cell A 1008 and a galvanic cell B 1010. In one or more
embodiments, the galvanic cell A 1008 and the galvanic cell B 1010 may be
coupled to a probe cell 1002 of the ingestible probe through a probe
confirming base 1004. The galvanic cell A 1008 and the galvanic cell B
1010 may be attached to the surface of the probe cell 1002 that may be
ingestible into a body of an animal. The galvanic cell arrangement 1000,
when ingested into the body of the animal (e.g., into a digestive tract
of the animal), comes in contact with gastric acid solution 1012 within
the body of the animal. The gastric acid solution 1012 within the body
(e.g., within the digestive tract) of the animal may serve as an aqueous
electrolyte for the conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000. The
conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000 may be powered on when the
conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000 comes in contact with the
gastric acid solution 1012 and the ingestible probe may be powered by the
conforming galvanic cell arrangement 1000. In the case of ingestible
probes, as the galvanic cells may come in contact with strong acids and
the galvanic cells may not last long, If the requirement of usage may be
longer than 24 hours, then a less acidic solution would be preferred as
electrolyte.

[0047] In one or more embodiments, a foam may used as a covering over the
electrodes and may vary with the electrolyte being used. In one or more
embodiments, the planar galvanic cell arrangement disclosed herein may be
used to power low power consumer electronic devices. The power range of
the low power consumer electronic devices may lie between 2V-5V. In one
or more embodiments, the planar galvanic cell arrangement disclosed
herein may generate approximately 0.5V with a pair of galvanic cells. For
the purpose of illustration the detailed description refers sweat and sea
water as aqueous electrolytes, however the scope of the invention
disclosed is not limited to the sweat and sea water but may be extended
to include any electrolyte. In a preferred embodiment, an underlying
device on which the planar galvanic cell may be attached to should be
water resistant depending on the environment in which the device may be
used.

[0048] Although the present embodiments have been described with reference
to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various
modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.
Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.